Exact Therapeutics awarded NOK 16 million from Norwegian Research Council for collaboration project with NTNU, ICR and TGen

22 Dec 2022 08:45 CET

OSLO, 22 December 2022: EXACT Therapeutics AS (“EXACT-Tx” or “the Company”,
Euronext Growth: EXTX) today announces that the Norwegian Research Council (NRC)
has awarded EXACT-Tx NOK 16 million to support the research of immunotherapy
responses in solid tumours with Acoustic Cluster Therapy (ACT®). The research
project is in collaboration with three renowned academic partners; Norwegian
University of Science and Technology (NTNU)(Norway), Institute of Cancer
Research (ICR)/ Royal Marsden Hospital (UK) and Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen)(USA).

ACT® is currently in clinical development for combination with standard of care
chemotherapeutic agents. Several preclinical studies have shown that ACT® can
provide a remarkable increase in the therapeutic efficacy of this class of
cancer drugs. The aim of the awarded research project is preclinical development
of ACT® combined with immuno-oncology (IO) agents for treatment of solid
cancers. IO-agents, and especially checkpoint inhibitors, represent an emerging
and important class of cancer drugs that can provide long-term response in some
cancer patients. Unfortunately, only a minority of patients respond to
immunotherapy and the efficacy may partly be hampered by insufficient delivery
to target tissues. Research into novel drug delivery systems is therefore of
great importance. The awarded research project comprises six preclinical work
packages investigating ACT® with checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of breast
cancer, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. The primary objective is to
demonstrate preclinical proof of concept for treatment of one or more of these
diseases. The project end point is performing a clinical trial within the IO
segment.

Dr Per Walday, CEO of EXACT-Tx, commented: “We are very pleased with the award
of this NRC grant, which is an essential trigger for our exploration of the
potential of ACT® within immuno-oncology. The award of this grant together with
our internationally renowned collaborators TGen, NTNU and ICR, will provide
access to significant competence and resources, and may open exciting new
opportunities for the utilisation of ACT®.”

About EXACT-Tx
EXACT-Tx is a clinical-stage Norwegian precision health company developing a
technology platform for targeted therapeutic enhancement – Acoustic Cluster
Therapy (ACT®). ACT® follows a unique approach to ultrasound-mediated, targeted
drug enhancement – with the potential to significantly amplify the clinical
utility of a wide range of therapeutic agents across a multitude of indications
including within oncology (chemotherapy, immunotherapy), infectious diseases,
and brain diseases.

About ACT®
• ACT® is a proprietary formulation consisting of microbubbles and microdroplets
that are activated through the application of ultrasound with the consequent
increase in targeted delivery of a co-administered therapeutic agent

• ACT® is supported by a strong and broad preclinical package demonstrating
therapeutic enhancement in multiple oncology models (pancreatic, breast, colon,
prostate) as well as blood-brain barrier penetration

• Initial focus of the Company is oncology, however the ACT® platform has
potential across therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, CNS, immunotherapy) and
product classes.

For further information on ACT®, please visit www.exact-tx.com


About NTNU
NTNU is ranked as number one in the world in collaboration with industry
partners, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University
Rankings in March 2017. NTNU has an extensive international network with NTNU
office in Brussels (together with the University of Bergen and SINTEF).
NTNU has four strategic areas of research in 2014–2023: sustainability, energy,
oceans, and health. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, these research
areas aim to address complex challenges of great importance for society. In
addition, NTNU has strategic initiatives in 2011–2023 in biotechnology, digital
and nano («enabling technologies»).

NTNU is host or partner for 45 large research centres (centres of excellence,
research-driven innovation and environmentally friendly energy). The university
participates in 263 Horizon 2020 projects and is awarded 25 ERC grants (June
2022).

NTNU works in close collaboration with the research institution SINTEF, business
and industry. The university has a strong focus on innovation and
entrepreneurship.

About ICR
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential
cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating
back more than 100 years. Around 800 scientists work at ICR across the full
spectrum of cancer research, from basic cancer biology to clinical trials. The
ICR ranked second in REF 2021, the UK government’s most recent comprehensive
assessment of research quality, for overall research quality and impact, and
first in biological sciences.

The ICR is also one of the world’s most successful academic institutions in
industry collaboration and is especially well-known for its excellence in drug
discovery. Researchers in the ICR’s Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery, have
discovered 21 drug candidates since 2005, of which 13 have progressed into
clinical trials, in collaboration with industry partners.

The ICR and its hospital partner The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust are
together ranked in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment
worldwide, and their joint Drug Development Unit is the leading oncology-focused
phase I trial unit in the UK. The ICR is also a provider of higher education of
international distinction through its postgraduate degree programmes.

About TGen, part of City of Hope
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based
non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with
life-changing results. TGen is part of City of Hope, a world-renowned
independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes, and other
life-threatening diseases. This precision medicine affiliation enables both
institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of
Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries
made by TGen. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders,
cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases through cutting-edge translational
research (the process of rapidly moving research toward patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common
and complex rare diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in
the scientific and medical communities worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the
translational process. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.


Media Contact
Per Walday, CEO
Phone: +47 91793429
Email: per.walday@exact-tx.com

Forward looking statements:
This announcement and any materials distributed in connection with this
announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect the
Company's current expectations and assumptions as to future events and
circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of material factors could
cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by this forward-looking statement.

More information:
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578964_Exact-Tx awarded IPN grant 2022.pdf